Associate at Adams & Adams

Job description
This is a junior associate position for an admitted attorney with a keen interest in trade marks and litigation. You will service a wide array of local and international clients in varied fields and be required to meet their brand enforcement needs in South Africa and on the African continent. You will work with and will need to report to more than one senior attorney. The successful applicant must therefore be adaptable and a team player.  

•    Analysing instructions and sets of facts and preparing legal advice and opinions
•    Preparing correspondence to clients and opponents
•    Drafting letters of demand and undertakings
•    Drafting affidavits, pleadings and notices for litigation purposes
•    Preparing marketing material, including articles for publication, and participating in speaking opportunities
•    Conducting research
•    Diarising and administering own diary files.
•    Dealing with urgent matters promptly and efficiently and ensuring that all tasks are completed on time
•    Giving instructions to, and supervising, candidate attorneys, paralegals and secretaries to complete more routine tasks such as indexing and pagination
•    Preparing monthly reports for clients on the status of various matters being handled on their behalf
•    Checking prebills to ensure that the amounts charged align with the work done and client's billing requirements are met

Skills

•        Computer literate in Microsoft Office
•        Fully conversant in English with excellent written and spoken language and communication skills
•        Ability to work independently, under pressure, use initiative and meet deadlines
•        Ability to work on several matters at a time
•        Ability to work accurately with attention to detail
•        Willingness to learn and pro-activity
•        Good problem solving & decision making skills
•        Ability to attract clients and build relationships
•        Must be flexible regarding time
•        Must have a thorough understanding of legal practice 

Minimum requirements

•        Legal qualification (Admitted Attorney)
•        It will be advantageous to have trade mark litigation experience (oppositions, cancellations, infringements)
•        Must preferably have passed Trade Mark and Copyright Law SAIIPL (Group 1) examinations
•        Prior work experience in the IP field (in a firm or inhouse) will be highly advantageous